Proverbs 8

The Excellence of Wisdom

1 Does not wisdom cry out, And understanding lift up her voice? Does not wisdom cry out, And understanding lift up her voice?2 She takes her stand on the top of the high hill, Beside the way, where the paths meet.3 She cries out by the gates, at the entry of the city, At the entrance of the doors:4 To you, O men, I call, And my voice is to the sons of men.5 O you simple ones, understand prudence, And you fools, be of an understanding heart.6 Listen, for I will speak of excellent things, And from the opening of my lips will come right things;7 For my mouth will speak truth; Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.8 All the words of my mouth are with righteousness; Nothing crooked or perverse is in them.9 They are all plain to him who understands, And right to those who find knowledge.10 Receive my instruction, and not silver, And knowledge rather than choice gold;11 For wisdom is better than rubies, And all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.12 I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, And find out knowledge and discretion.13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate.14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding, I have strength.15 By me kings reign, And rulers decree justice.16 By me princes rule, and nobles, All the judges of the earth.17 I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me.18 Riches and honor are with me, Enduring riches and righteousness.19 My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, And my revenue than choice silver.20 I traverse the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of justice,21 That I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth, That I may fill their treasuries.22 The Lord possessed me at the beginning of His way, Before His works of old.23 I have been established from everlasting, From the beginning, before there was ever an earth.24 When there were no depths I was brought forth, When there were no fountains abounding with water.25 Before the mountains were settled, Before the hills, I was brought forth;26 While as yet He had not made the earth or the fields, Or the primal dust of the world.27 When He prepared the heavens, I was there, When He drew a circle on the face of the deep,28 When He established the clouds above, When He strengthened the fountains of the deep,29 When He assigned to the sea its limit, So that the waters would not transgress His command, When He marked out the foundations of the earth,30 Then I was beside Him as a master craftsman; And I was daily His delight, Rejoicing always before Him,31 Rejoicing in His inhabited world, And my delight was with the sons of men.32 Now therefore, listen to me, my children, For blessed are those who keep my ways.33 Hear instruction and be wise, And do not disdain it. 34 Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors.35 For whoever finds me finds life, And obtains favor from the Lord;36 But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul; All those who hate me love death.

PROVERBS 8

In Praise of Wisdom

1  t With great understanding,
Wisdomt is calling out

2 as she stands at the crossroads
and on every hill.

3 She stands by the city gate
where everyone enters the city,
and she shouts:

4 “I am calling out
to each one of you!

5 Good sense and sound judgment
can be yours.

6 Listen, because what I say
is worthwhile and right.

7 I always speak the truth
and refuse to tell a lie.

8 Every word I speak is honest,
not one is misleading
or deceptive.

9 “If you have understanding,
you will see that my words
are just what you need.

10 Let instruction and knowledge
mean more to you than silver
or the finest gold.

11  t Wisdom is worth much more
than precious jewels
or anything else you desire.”

Wisdom Speaks

12 I am Wisdomt—Common Sense
is my closest friend;
I possess knowledge
and sound judgment.

13 If you respect the [Lord],
you will hate evil.
I hate pride and conceit
and deceitful lies.

14 I am strong, and I offer
sensible advice
and sound judgment.

15 By my power kings govern,
and rulers make laws
that are fair.

16 Every honest leader rules
with help from me.

17 I love everyone who loves me,
and I will be found by all
who honestly search.

18 I can make you rich and famous,
important and successful.

19 What you receive from me
is more valuable
than even the finest gold
or the purest silver.

20 I always do what is right,

21 and I give great riches
to everyone who loves me.

22  t From the beginning,
I was with the [Lord].t
I was there before he began

23 to create the earth.
At the very first,
the [Lord] gave life tot me.

24 When I was born,
there were no oceans
or springs of water.

25 My birth was before
mountains were formed
or hills were put in place.

26 It happened long before God
had made the earth
or any of its fields
or even the dust.

27  t I was there when the [Lord]
put the heavens in place
and stretched the sky
over the surface of the sea.

28 I was with him when he placed
the clouds in the sky
and created the springs
that fill the ocean.

29 I was there when he set
boundaries for the sea
to make it obey him,
and when he laid foundations
to support the earth.

30 I was right beside the [Lord],
helping him plan and build.t
I made him happy each day,
and I was happy at his side.

31 I was pleased with his world
and pleased with its people.

32  t Pay attention, my children!
Follow my advice,
and you will be happy.

33 Listen carefully
to my instructions,
and you will be wise.

34 Come to my home each day
and listen to me.
You will find happiness.

35 By finding me, you find life,
and the [Lord] will be pleased
with you.

36 But if you don't find me,
you hurt only yourself,
and if you hate me,
you are in love with death.